Rhythm of Youth

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I took this photograph in the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) campus attending a workshop a few months ago. It’s been a while since I visited a college campus; it’s so refreshing to be in such a dynamic environment where most people were so young and energetic.

The best part of being in school this time for me is that I didn’t have to worry about turning in homework or taking tests. No pressure, just pleasure. Being around young people, makes me feel younger and more vigorous. It’s contagious.

-Quan

February 2012.

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” ~ Victor Hugo

Gravity

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A man can only hold so much in his head. Beyond a certain point, gravity will take over.

-Quan
February 2012.

Lion Dance

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I had a great time at the Chinese New Year parade last weekend. For me, the lion dance was the highlight of the parade. As the lions marched down the street, people extended their arm out with a red envelops to invite the lion dancer over. When the dancer accepted the invitation and got close to the sidewalk, it would do some special dance moves for a treat. The audiences showed their appreciation with loud cheering noises, and throwing out the confetti.

Even though, I was not a participant; with the camera on hand, I felt more like an observant. And that was an exciting scene to watch, I can feel the festive atmosphere all around me.

“Kung hei fat choi” (Congratulations and be prosperous) to all, as the Chinese would say on New Year.

-Quan
February 2012.

“Life is a festival only to the wise.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)

Nature and Man

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When I took this picture, I thought of Edward Abbey.

For those not familiar with Edward Abbey, here is an excerpt from Wikipedia: “Edward Paul Abbey (29 January 1927 – 14 March 1989) was an American anarchist writer noted for his advocacy of environmental issues and criticism of public land policies.”

Whenever I take field trips to remote locations away from the city, I get to enjoy the beautiful sceneries. Overtime, I acquire the appreciation and deeper respect for Mother Nature. The camera has taught me the love for the land and the sea.

I can relate to Edward’s writing through which I become even more ecological conscious. If he was still alive, today would have been Edward’s 75th birthday. With this image, I like to celebrate his birthday and pay tribute to him.

-Quan
January 2012.

“I stand for what I stand on.” ~ Edward Abbey

One

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There is no doubt that Disney Concert Hall is an architectural marvel. Somehow, the all-stainless-steel futuristic look of the external design gives me a sort of uneasy feeling. This is not a criticism; I really do not know anything about architecture. I am sure it is just me.

As I took this photograph, I had a flash back of a scene from a science-fiction movie (which I cannot recall the title). In the movie, a man wakes up one day and discovers that he is the only one left on earth. The mother ships had took off and left him behind. Not by choice, he becomes specie of one.

The thought of being “one” and surrounded by metals is terrifying to me. I wonder if man could ever live alone.

-Quan
January 2012.

“Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.” ~ Baltasar Gracian

Equestrians

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Every time I see a horse, I always get the feelings of grace, beauty, spiritual and freedom. Personally, I have never ridden a horse before in my life. I think it would be so cool to ride one. That remains one of my many dreams.

In reality, I am just as contented to watch and to photograph other lucky people riding their horses.

Wait a minute! I want to dream some more. I dream to spend an afternoon riding the horse with another soul. I dream...

-Quan
January 2012.

“A horse is poetry in motion.” ~ Author Unknown

Yearning

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During the last few weeks here in Southern California, the weather was nice and warm. Comparing to last year, it doesn’t feel like winter, rather more like early spring. (Do I hear someone saying, “global warming”?)

Despite the warm temperature, there’s still sign of winter. This tree makes me stop while walking in the local park. I don’t know if it’s just me, or the tree seem to be weeping and yearning for the spring.


-Quan
January 2012.

“Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.”  ~ Khalil Gibran  

Dreamland

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When I was little, I loved to read fairy tale and comic books. Things were often simple and beautiful; and the animals, rocks and trees could talk. Later on in life, when I went to school and I learned science, math and logic; I was told that rocks and trees don’t talk and that everything I read before was just make-believe stuffs.

Now, with photography, everything speaks again. Although, there are no written words, but the language is beautiful. Thanks to photography, I found my long-lost dreamland.

-Quan
January 2012.

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” ~ Robert Kennedy

Down the Hall

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Occasionally, we all need a quiet moment to rest. As the year coming to the end, I am sitting here, doing nothing but reflecting upon twenty-eleven. Overall, it was a very good year for me in many respects.

One of the highlight of this year was my acquisition of a new camera, the Fujifilm X100. I know buying the X100 does not instantly make me a photographer; it only makes me an X100 owner. I often hear people saying, “It’s the photographer, not the camera that takes the pictures.” Even though, I agree with that wisdom, I want to say that the X100 gave me the inspiration to take more and better images. (Click here to see the images taken with the Fujifilm X100.)

Another reason that makes this year so terrific for me is you. When I look at the stats of this blog, I see a steady increase in numbers of visits from all over the world. That reason alone, gives me the inspiration to take more pictures and to post more regularly. In addition, many of you also take the time to write your feed-backs and share your thoughts with me, on and off line. I want to this opportunity to say that I appreciate your support and encouragement throughout the year.

I also look at other reports, the ones from my affiliations with Amazon and B&H Photo. The reports do not show who made the purchases, they only show what items were sold coming from this blog. Even that I do not know who you are, I do get the nice warm feeling knowing someone out there is helping me. I know you do not have to do it, but you choose to do it to support me. Your thoughtful actions really keep me going. Thank you!

I like to hold the nice memories of this year as I am saying farewell to twenty-eleven; and to wish you all the love, joy and even more success in your life as we welcome twenty-twelve.

Wish you a very Happy New Year.

-Quan
December 2011.

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” ~ Ansel Adams

Reindeer

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During the last few weeks, we have strong winds and heavy rains. It is colder each day as the days get shorter. And, when it’s not raining, it’s dull and grey. The winter is definitely here.

On a more positive note, I see Christmas decorations everywhere; in the office, around the neighborhoods, and on the streets. I spot these reindeer on a hillside, while taking my walk; they are part of the city’s Christmas lights display. I think the Christmas decorations, lights and the warmth of the season makes the winter much more bearable.

-Quan.
December 2011.

“Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling.” ~ Edna Ferber

Lillian

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She was so beautiful, pure, and irresistible. If I were a bee, I would beg for mercy and I would probably drop dead by her stamens. People told me that her name was Lily, but she liked to go by Lillian. She usually hung out with her friends, and told me that it would be too confusing for everybody to call each other Lily.

I met Lillian on a cloudy day in the garden. I was not particularly motivated and was about to go home. Then, I saw Lillian and friends blooming in front of the cafe near the exit. I felt as if she was born for and thrive in the soft, diffused light. After taking a few exposures, I went home anyway. However, now I was very motivated and more. Like a kid given a candy, Lillian was my treat of the day.

“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other” ~ Chinese Proverbs

A Moment With You

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Now I believe in angels,

for I am here next to you,

in this city of angels,

cherish this moment and you.

-Quan.

Los Angeles

December 2011.

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~ Luciano de Crescenzo

Sextet

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From far away, the fence looked like yellow polka dot wall. There were thick layers of vines and leaves covered by the sprinkles of these little flowers on the outer layer.

Up close, it was chaos. There were no laws and orders. These little people just grew in an uncontrolled, but very energetic fashion. Getting even closer, I found this sextet. They were music to my eyes. It seemed like they were smiling and singing, “Hello Mister, welcome to this corner of the fence. How are you doing today?” To which I replied “Hello Sunshine.”

Thank you everyone for visiting this corner of the World Wide Web. May your weekend filled with sunshine.

-Quan
December 2011.

“Chaos is the score upon which reality is written.” ~ Henry Miller

Each and Every Step

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Each step is an adventure for both. When we lift the foot up, we want to make sure that it points to the right direction. When we land it down on the ground, we do not want land on any impediments. For every step, we want to maintain balance throughout. We use the handholding technique as a guiding tool. We do that with one hundred percent concentration. Then, we repeat the same process in the next step. As long as we focus on the task, we will stay on course and nobody gets hurt.

The years will pass. There will be no more handholding; there will be football games, music recitals, rock-and-roll, driving education, and colleges. Every so often, there will be “Hi, Dad” followed by “Hi son, how are you doing?” Every so often, there will be lunches, or even a hug.

The journey continues...

-Quan
December 2011.

“It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.” ~ Johann Schiller

Caution

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Today, I am thinking about shadows; particularly, our own shadows.

Shadows never complain, and always follow us quietly. When we step into the shade, they just disappear. When we face the light, they stay right behind us. When the light gets brighter, the shadows get deeper. The only time we see our own shadows is when we turn our back to the light; or when we face the light but turn our heads to look back behind us.

Shadows have many shapes and forms; they can be very pretty sometimes. Whenever I see my shadow, I get a feeling of comfort, knowing that there’s light. When I see my shadow, I know it is sunny and I am not alone.

If you haven’t looked at your own shadow lately, I invite you to walk into the light; walk, jump, dance or run (whatever you like to do) while noticing your own shadows. It is pure joy, I guarantee it. Watch your steps and don’t injure yourself though.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Bitten

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As I was walking in the park the other day, I spied a streak of light shining on a leaf from under a distant tree. My feet automatically turned toward that direction; thinking this would be a cool photo opportunity. When I got there, I saw this young leaf, which was badly bitten. In a split second, my heart turned from joy to sorrow.

Most leaves get to grow up healthy, to experience a full life through the seasons, to grow old, and to turn yellow in the fall… However, looks like this leaf will not have the chance to live life to the fullest. Sometimes, I feel the world can be so unfair and cruel; dark and cold.

After I took the shot, I stood there wishing the sun would set slower to keep the leaf warm just a little longer. I imagined it’s only a matter of days.

Until then, hang in there and keep on shining!

-Quan.
October, 2011.

Separate Way

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If you must go, take good care.
May the sun always shine.
If you must go, don’t look back.
May your future be bright.

But if you stay, just a while.
We’ll dance in the rain,
sing with the wind, and the moon.
We’ll be alright, I know.

But if you go, take my heart.
Heart can’t dance without you.
Wind won’t blow, and moon won’t shine.
So take my heart, wherever you go.

-o-

Love,
-Quan, April 2011.